For more than 20 years, Monsignor Anthony Rosaforte has offered a benediction at the Columbus monument at Chelsea Parade in Norwich as part of the celebration of the annual Italian of the Year award.

He’ll do so again this October, but in a decidedly different role: This time he will be the recipient of the honor bestowed by the Italian Heritage and Cultural Committee of Norwich.

Committee chairman Frank Jacaruso said organizers have asked Rosaforte to accept the nomination for decades, but he has routinely declined.

“For almost 25, 30 years I’ve said ‘no,’ because this is my vocation, and I always felt it should be given to people who work so hard and do so much,” Rosaforte, 74, said. “I think somebody was finally threatening to cut my ear off. These Italians, you’ve got to be careful.”

Rosaforte became rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1989, and named monsignor in March 1992. It was a post that was only supposed to last for a few years.

But he has turned that temporary assignment into a calling, deeply embedding himself in the region and helping people of all faiths find comfort.

“He walks the walk,” Jacaruso said. “It’s not just the Catholic community. He takes care of whoever shows up there.”

In 1960, Rosaforte entered Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell and continued his education at Niagara University. His first assignment was at St. Michael’s Church in Pawacatuck and from 1976 through 1983, he served as parochial vicar at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich.

Rosaforte was named pastor of St. Joseph Church in Occum in 1983, where he served until returning to St. Patrick’s in 1989.

“The people have always been very gracious and accepting to me over the years,” Rosaforte said. “I really love the community.”